New Colorado law reduces penalties for all drug crimes
A new law signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper this week will reduce penalties for all drug crimes in Colorado.
The idea is to focus less on putting people behind bars and more on getting them treatment. Now, instead of drug felonies being treated the same as violent felonies, there is a sentencing plan specific to drug crimes.
“Penalties, across the board, for all drugs are reduced by this law,” said 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May.”Whether you’re a drug dealer, a user, a possessor.”
The law will allow those convicted for possessing small amounts drugs to reduce their felony conviction to a misdemeanor after completing a community corrections sentence and court orders.
May argues that doesn’t necessarily mean treatment for addiction.
“It leaves to the sole discretion of each individual judge if they want to order treatment or not,” May said. “It’s the sole discretion of the judge whether they feel you’ve completed your probation successfully or not.”
May also worries the law will undermine the county’s drug court that requires drug offenders get treatment to dismiss their charges.
The law got bi-partisan support in the Colorado Legislature and proponents say it will provide flexibility for sentencing lower level drug offenders while still providing harsh penalties and prison time for serious offenses.
“Carrying a drug felony on your record significantly diminishes a person’s ability to find housing, credit and employment,” said Mike Krause, with the Independent Institute, a conservative think tank out of Golden. “Three things anyone needs to get their life back on track.”
Krause said the law comes after several years of study and points out that it’s backed by the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council.
“You were being harshly, harshly punished for low-level drug offenses in many cases,” said Krause. “So (this law) is just trying to differentiate between lower-level drug users and actual drug dealers.”
The state estimates the law could save up to $5 million a year by reducing the prison population.
The law takes effect in October. To read Senate Bill 250 click here.
